Mindful Eating: Tasting Joy in the Present Moment

A Half-Day Retreat/Workshop with Ven Jampa Sangmo

Mindful eating involves bringing our full attention to the experience of nourishing ourselves while eating, drinking and sharing food. We utilize all our senses to explore colors, smells, texture, temperatures and flavor. Through practicing eating, sitting and walking meditation we begin to have a clear comprehension of where in the body do we feel hunger; where do we feel satisfaction; and how to identify what is the feeling of fullness.

This workshop is appropriate for beginners and experienced meditators who wish to incorporate eating as part of this traditional way of being present.

Practicing mindfulness has the benefits of reducing our stress levels, increasing our happiness, and allowing us to be fully present with the people we love.  Mindful eating can increase our ability to recognize joy and contentment during this holiday season.

What to bring:  Water and a bag lunch or snack. The Center will provide light snacks; cookies and tea.

Venerable Jampa Sangmo is a Tibetan Buddhist Nun. She was born in Hermosa Beach, California. In 1966 she was first introduced to meditation at the University of California at Los Angeles when Maharishi Mahesh Yogi was invited to give a lecture. Her interest in meditation led her to the exploration of Zen where she studied with Thich Nhat Hanh. She has also done numerous long Vipassana retreats. She came to Tibetan Buddhism in 1993 and began her studies with several Buddhist Masters including Lama Zopa Rinpoche, H.E. Choden Rinpoche, Ribur Rinpoche and His Holiness the Dalai Lama. She took robes with her teacher Khensur Jampa Tegchok Rinpoche in 2008. She has lead meditation groups and retreats for Chevron International, Road Scholar (formally Elder Hostel), Spirit Rock Meditation Center, Land of Medicine Buddha (LMB) and Vajrapani Institute. She facilitated a Cancer Support Group for four years at LMB. Most recently she was invited by Facebook to speak about Meditation at their Menlo Park Campus.

Jampa Sangmo understands the stresses of work life and how to incorporate mindfulness to optimize one's happiness and effectiveness in the workplace. Before becoming a Nun she worked as an analyst and consultant in government and the private sector. She developed several programs that increased organizational efficiencies and provided innovative and creative solutions to problems in the workplace.

Venerable Jampa Sangmo currently resides in Santa Cruz and teaches meditation classes at Ocean of Compassion in Campbell, California. She is passionate about teaching meditation and how to incorporated it in everyday life.